Digital counter assembly



R. W. BOYER V l DIGITAL COUNTER ASSEMBLY July 9,1195? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- -IQO /12 Filed Dec. 5.*1952 July 9, 1957 R, W, BQYER 2,798,670

DIGITAL. COUNTER ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 5, 1952 Y 2 sheets-sheet 2 United States Patent 2,798,6764 Patented July 9, 1957 hcc DIGITAL COUNTER ASSEMBLY Raymond W. Boyer, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Robert E. McNett, as trustee for Royal Electric, Inc., Jamestown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio l Application December 5, 1952, Serial No. 324,319

Claims. (Cl. 23S-92) This invention relates to a digital counter assembly. The invention pertains more particularly to a counter device which has a reset mechanism. However,the n- Vention is not so limited.

Several counter assemblies now in use employ the mutilated transfer pinion principle. This is the type of pinion having some of the pinion teeth of full length and the remainder of the pinion teeth or half length. Digital counters using this mutilated transfer pinion principle are probably the most reliable among the various types of counters. This is particularly true of mechanisms in which the assembly is subjected to hard usage and vibration. However, when this type of pinion is used in conjunction with mechanisms t-o reset the counter to zero indication, it has been found that a problem exists in retaining the normal radial position of the transfer pinions during the period in which the pinions are disengaged to allow restoration of the indicating Wheels to zero. Known devices for aligning the transfer pinions with the wheels after a reset operation are not completely effective. These known devices allow the pinions freedom of rotation during the time the pinions are free of the aligner mechanism.` If proper radial algnmentis not maintained while the transfer pinions `are disengaged from the digit wheels, the digit wheels will not register correctly after the reset procedure.

An object of this invention is to provide a counter assembly having a reset mechanism which always returns the transfer pinions to the proper location in the proper relationship to the indicating wheels or drums.

Another object of this invention is to provide a solenoid operated actuating mechanism which is capable of high frequency operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a solenoid operated actuating mechanism which is small in physical size and is capable of doing a comparatively large amount of work.

Another object of this invention is to provide a counter assembly which will function properly when used in a high speed aircraft in which forces are experienced which are several times the force of gravity.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from thefollowing description.

Referring tothe drawings,

Figure 1 is a side view of the counter assembly with a side cover frame member removed. l

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the counter assembly.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the reset mechanism with the transfer pinions in engagement with the counter wheels.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the core with the armature of `the actuating mechanism in solenoid `energized position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the aligning fingers in engagement with the transfer pinions. 'This gure shows a step in the reset operation.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a further step in the reset operation in which the transfer pinions are out of engagement with the counter wheels.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the trigger and spring assembly of the reset mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a solenoid 10 having a core 12 may be energized in any suitable manner, such as by battery 13 and switch 15. As the solenoid is energized, the core 12 is magnetized, resulting in rotation of an armature 14. It may be noted that the ends of the armature 14 are formed at angles substantially 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the armature 14. The portions of the core 12 which are adapted to seat the armature 14, are, also, formed at angles of substantially 45 degrees. The armature 14 is rotatably retained in a guide member 16 by a pintle 18. 4

As the solenoid 10 is energized, the core 12 is magnetized to cause rotation of the armature 14. The armature rotates about the pintle 18 until the ends of the armature 14 contact and seat themselves in the ends of the core 12, as shown in Figure 4. The 45 angle construction of the ends of the armature 14 and the ends of the copre 12 makes possible a higher ratio of torque per unit volume of the magnetic steel in the core 12 and the armature 14. This construction gives a small initial air gap at the closest points between the ends of the armature 14 and the core 12, as shown in Figure 1. This construction, also, provides a mechanism which willoperate Within a very small space.

Rotation of the armature 14 causes movement of an arm 20 which is rigidly attached to the armature 14 and pivotally connected to a linkage 22 by a pin 23. As the armature 14 rotates, the arm 20 moves arcuately toward the guide member 16 until the arm 20 contacts the guide member 16. The arm 20 contacts the guide member 16 simultaneously with the seating of the armature 14 against the ends of the core 12. p

The linkage 22 is moved substantially horizontally toward the guide member 16 by the arm 20. As this occurs, it causes a spring 24 to be elongated. The spring 24 is connected between a pin 26 of a side frame plate 28 and an orifice 30 in the linkage 22. The movement of the linkage 22 toward the guide member 16 rotates an arm 32 which is rotatably mounted on the side frame plate 28 by means of a pin 34. The arm 32 is pivotally connected to the linkage 22 by means of a pin 36. The arm 32 is, also, connected to a pawl 38 by means of a pin 40. The pointed end of the pawl 38 engages one of a plurality of notches of the units wheel 44. Each time the solenoid 10 is energized, movement through the arms 20 and 32 and the linkage 22 causes the paw138 to revolve the units wheel 44 from one of the notches 42 to the next adjacent notch 42.

A spring 45 resiliently connects the pawl 38 and a latch 47. The latch 47 is pivotally mounted on the side frame plate 28 by means of a pin 49. The latch 47 prevents reversal of rotation of the units wheel 44.

This counter assembly employs a conventional system of connection among the digit wheels. This connection is through the conventional mutilated transfer pinions. In this counter assembly, transfer pinion 46 is connectively interposed between digit wheels 44 and 50 and transfer pinion 48 is connectively interposed between digit wheels 50 and 52, as best shown in Figure 2. The digit wheels 44, 50 and 52 are rotatably supported between the side frame plates 28 and 59 by a bolt 51 having a head 53 and a nut 55.

At the completion of each full revolution of the units wheel, the transfer pinion 46 causes the tens wheel 50 to rotate to the next higher digit. Accordingly, at the completion of each full revolution of the tens wheel 50, the transfer pinion 48 causes the hundreds wheel 52 to assume improper alignment.

rotate to the next higher digit. It may be understood that this counter assembly is not limited to three digit wheels but many more digit wheels may be added as required by a particular application.

The transfer pinions have alternate full leaves and half leaves. In other words, each transfer pinion hasa leaf or tooth extending entirely across the width` of thepinion followed by a leaf or tooth extending only half of the distance across the pinion. Each digit wheel has a notch which is adapted t-o allow the wheel to engage with a full leaf of a transfer pinion. Due to the fact that there is but one notch in each wheel, the transfer pinion will be engaged only once each revolution to rotatev or step up ythe next digit wheel. These transfer` pinions are of the type referred to in the art as mutilated vtransfer pinions.

After a completed count is registered on the digit Wheels, it is usually desired to reset the wheels to register zero. In order to accomplish the reset process, vthe transfer pinions of all counters of this ty-pe must be. disengaged from the counter wheels. In the reset-mechanism of this invention, the transfer pinions are retained in proper normal radial position during the period of disengagement. If the proper normal radial position is notretained, the transfer pinions upon re-engagement with the digit wheels would cause the digit Wheels to Therefore, the holding of proper normal radial position of the transfer pinions makes possible proper resetting of the digit wheels to zero or to any other indication. The reset mechanism in its normal. position is disclosed in detail in'Figure 3. Figure 3 discloses the position assumed by the reset mechanism during operation of the counter wheels.

A shift lever 57 is provided with elongate slots 54Y and 56 slidably attaching the shift lever 57 to the side frame plates 28 and 59 by means of bolts 58 and 60. Sleeve spacers 62 and 64 aid in positioning the members of the reset mechanism between the side frame plates 28 and 59.

The transfer pinions 46 and 48 are rotatably supported by a pintle 66 upon a rocker bracket 68. The rocker bracket 68, irregular in shape, is rotatably supported upon the bolt 58. The rocker bracket 68 has a rigid extension 72. This extension 72 is held iirmly against a pin 74 by a leaf spring 76. Thus, the rocker Vbracket 68 is retained in its normal position and thus thek transfer pinions 46 and 48 are firmly engaged with the digit wheels 44, 50 and 52. The pin 74 is mounted in the side frame plate 28 and extends only a portion 4of the distance between the side frame plates 28 and 59, as best shown in Figurev 2.

If it is desired .to reset the digit wheels, the shift lever 57 may be moved by any suitable means. The movement of the shift lever 57 is guided by the bolts 58 and v60 in the slots 54 and 56. The-shift lever S7 is provided with a finger 78 extending from the edge of the shift lever 57 normal to the surface of the shift lever'57. As the shift lever 57 is moved, the finger 78 contacts a trigger 80 `which isa resilient member attached to therocker bracket 68 by means of a rivet 82 in a mounting bracket 84. As theviinger 78 contacts the trigger 80, the trigger 80 begins to bend. The bend increases as the shift lever 57 carries the finger 78 farther from its normal position. The bending movement of the trigger 8f3 causes an arcuate spring 86 to bend. The arcuate spring 86 is loosely retainedbetween the trigger 84) and a projection 88 by means of a slot in each end of the arcuate spring, as clearly shown in Figure 7. The projection 88 is mounted on a base. 90 by means of rivets 92.

Upon the base 90 are mounted a pluralityof -arms 94, one arm for each of the transfer pinions. These arms 94 are rotatably attached to the rocker bracket 68 by means `of a pin 96.

As the `trigger 80 causes the arcuate spring 86 to bend, bringing the ends of the arcuate spring closer together,

the arcuate spring causes a snap action rotation of the arms'94 toward the transfer pinions 46 and 48. The arms 94 are provided with aligning fingers 98 which straddle one leaf and engage a leaf on either side of the straddled leaf. The position of the members of the reset mechanism with the aligning fingers 98 engaging the leaves of the transfer pinions 46 and 48 is disclosed in Figure 5. The'arms 94 and the fingers 98 thus locate the radial position of the transfer pinions 46 and 48 before the transfer pinions 46 and 48. are disengaged from the digit Wheels.

The disengaging process is as follows. Thel shift lever 57 is caused to move farther along the guide bolts 58 and 60. The finger 78 will contact the rocker bracket 68. Further movement forces the rocker bracket 68 to rotate about the bolt 58. This rotation 'of the rocker bracket 68 carries the aligned transfer pinions 46 and 48 away from the digit wheels. The reset mechanism with the transfer pinions 46 and 48 fully disengaged is clearly shown in Figure 6. The rocker bracket 68 during its rotation to the position shown in Figure 6 has caused deflection of the leaf spring 76 and the rocker bracket 68 is firmly held in the position as shown in Figure 6 by the leaf spring 76.

It may be understood that the transfer pinions 46 and 48 are not permitted to rotate as they are carried by the rocker bracket 68 away from the digit wheels 44, 50 and 52. This allows free rotation of the digit wheels 44, 50 and 52 for resetting. The transfer pinions 46 and 48 are, of course, held in proper radial position by the aligning lingers 98 during the time the digit wheels 44, 50 and 52 are reset. The resetting of the digit Wheels may be done by any suitable means. The aligning fingers 98 firmly hold the transfer pinions from radial movement until the shift lever 57 returns to its normal position, allowing the leaf spring 76 to move the rocker bracket 68 clockwise. As the rocker bracket 68 rotates clockwise to its normal position, it carries with it the transfer pinions 46 and 48 which remain rmly engaged by the fingers 98 until after the leaves of the transfer pinions 46 and 48 are again fully nested in the digit Wheels. Only after the complete and correct return of the transfer pinions 46 and 48 into engagement with the ldigit wheels do the arms 94 move to their normal position as shown in Figure 3.

VSo it may be understood that the reset mechanism engages the transfer pinions and holds them in proper radial position during the complete cycle of fully disengaging the transfer pinions to returning the transfer pinions to the proper radial positions with respect to the digit Wheels. The three major steps in the reset cycle are clearly disclosed in Figures 3, 5 and 6.

rI "o provide a means for inserting resistors in the solenoid circuit after energization of the armature 14, a switch 100 has been positioned near the armature 14 and is operated by the movement of the armature 14. This switch can be used to short out the resistors until the armature is in the energized position.

So that the reset mechanism cannot operate except by movement of the shift lever 57, aboss 102 has been provided on one edge of the shift lever 57. The boss 102 abuts the rocker bracket 68 and is provided in View of the fact that this counter assembly is used in aircraft. Instruments in high speed aircraft are subjected to high gravitational forces. It is necessary to provide means to prohibit interference by these forces of the proper operation of the counters.

The entire counter assembly has been so invented that it can withstand external forces of many types to insure proper operation. The counter assembly may be assembled in any suitable type of instrument for operation in any suitable type of application.

Although the preferred embodiment of the ydevice has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the

combination ,thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist `in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.`

Having thus describedmy invention, I claim: p

1. In a counter assembly, the combination including a frame, a plurality of rotatably mounted digit wheels and transfer pinions mounted within the frame, a transfer pinion disengaging mechanism including a rocker bracket rotatably supporting the transfer pinions, a plurality of arms, the rocker bracket also rotatably supporting said arms, each arm having a plurality of aligning lingers, a`

trigger and spring assembly mounted upon the rocker bracket and connected to the arms, and a shift lever slidably attached to the frame, an operating nger formed on said shift lever operatively contacting the trigger and spring assembly so that operation of the shift lever actuates engagement of the aligning fingers with the transfer pinions, followed by engagement of the operating finger with the rocker bracket causing disengagement of the transfer pinions from the digit wheels by rotation of the rockerbracket while the transfer pinions are secured by the aligning lingers, thus 4permitting retention of the transfer pinions in proper radial position during resetting of the digit wheels, the aligningflngers maintaining engagement with the transfer pinions until re-engagement of the transfer pinions with the digit wheels.

2. In an aircraft instrument of the digital counter type,

of the type provided with a solenoid operated actuating mechanism having a core, an armature rotatively engaging lthe core, a plurality of digit wheels adjacent each other, a linkage and arm operatively connecting the armature to one of the digit wheels, a plurality of transfer pinions, there being one transfer pinion transposed between adjacent digit wheels, each transfer pinion operatively connecting said adjacent digit wheels, a common shaft supporting said transfer pinions rotatably mounted thereon, the combination comprising a disengaging mechanism pro- `viding a mounting support for said common shaft, a plurality of arms having fingers, said disengaging mechanism rotatably supporting said plurality of arms, a trigger and spring assembly supported upon the disengaging mechanisrn and connected to the arms, and a shift lever engageable with the trigger and spring assembly and engageable with the disengaging mechanism to actuate grasping of the lingers upon the transfer pinions and to actuate disengagement of the transfer pinions from the digit wheels, providing freedom of rotation of the digit wheels for resetting of the wheels and providing means of retaining proper radial position of the transfer pinions during disengagement of the transfer pinions from the digit wheels.

3. In a disengaging mechanism for a counter assembly of the type having a plurality of digit wheels and having transfer pinions connectively interposed among the digit Wheels, the disengaging mechanism including a rocker assembly rotatably supporting the transfer pinions, each transfer pinion having a plurality of leaves, a plurality of arms having aligning fingers, the arms rotatably supported upon the rocker assembly, a trigger and spring assembly supported upon the rocker assembly and connected to the arms, and a shift lever slidably connected to the rocker assembly, the shift lever being provided with abutment means engageable with the trigger and spring assembly to cause rotation of the arms thereby engaging the fingers of the arms with a plurality of leaves of the transfer pinions, the abutment means of the shift lever further engageably operating the rocker assembly to disengage the transfer pinions while the leaves of the transfer pinions are engaged by the lingers, the fingers retaining the leaves of the transfer pinions in proper radial position so that the digit wheels may be reset and properly re-engaged with the transfer pinions.

4. In a counter reset mechanism, the combination including a plurality of rotatively mounted digit wheels, transfer pinions engaging the digit wheels, a rocker bracket rotatably supporting the transfer pinions, the rocker bracketbeing operative to move the transfer pinions from the digit wheels, a plurality of arms having t fingers, the arms being rotatably supported upon the rocker bracket, the arms being operable to engage the fingers with the transfer pinions to secure the radial position of the transfer pinions as the transfer pinions are moved from the digit wheels and to secure the radial position of the transfer pinions while the transfer pinions are out of engagement with the digit wheels, lever means operable to actuate movement of said arms and said rocker bracket, and means included upon said lever means prohibiting operation of said arms and said rocker bracket except by.operation of said lever means.

5. In a disengaging mechanism for digital counters of the type having a plurality of transfer pinions engaging the digit wheels, and side plate frame members, the combination comprising a shift lever slidably attached to one of said side plate frame members, a linger rigidly attached to the shift lever, a rocker bracket pivotally attached to Vone of the side plate frame members, said transfer pinions being rotatably supported upon said rocker bracket, an `arm having a linger rotatably supported upon the rocker bracket, a substantially right angle spring attached to the rocker bracket, and an arcuate spring attached to the right angle spring and to the arm, the linger attached to the shift lever being adapted to abut the right angle spring to cause bending of said right angle spring and said arcuate spring causingpivotal movement of the arm to engage the finger of the arm with a transfer pinion, the nger attached to the shift lever also being adapted to abut the rocker bracket causing pivotal movement of said rocker bracket.

6. In a counter assembly of the type provided with a frame, a plurality of rotatably mounted digit wheels and transfer pinions mounted within the frame, the combination comprising a transfer pinion disengaging mechanism including a rocker bracket rotatably supporting said transfer pinions, a pin attached to the frame and pivotally supporting the rocker bracket, a shift lever slidably attached to said pin, a plurality of arms pivotally supported upon said rocker bracket, each arm having a plurality of aligning lingers, a trigger and spring assembly mounted upon the rocker bracket and connected to the arms and an operating finger attached to said shift lever and operable to contact said trigger so that operation of the shift lever causes engagement of the aligning lingers by pivotal movement of the arms, the operating linger attached to the shift lever also being operable to engage the rocker bracket causing rotation of said rocker bracket.

7. In a counter assembly of the type provided with a frame, a plurality of rotatably mounted digit wheels and transfer pinions mounted within the frame, the combination comprising a transfer pinion disengaging mechanism inclu-ding a rocker bracket rotatably supporting said transfer pinions, a pin attached to the frame and pivotally supporting the rocker bracket, a shift lever slidably attached to said pin, a plurality of arms pivotally supported upon said rocker bracket, each arm having a plurality of aligning fingers, a trigger and spring assembly mounted upon the rocker bracket and connected to the arms, and means attached to said shift lever contacting said trigger to cause pivotal movement of said arms, said means also contacting said rocker bracket causing pivotal movement of said rocker bracket.

8. In a disengaging mechanism for digital counters of the type having a plurality of rotatably mounted digit wheels, a plurality of transfer pinions engaging the digit wheels, and side plate frame members, the disengaging mechanism including a shift lever slidably attached to one of said side plate frame members, a rocker bracket rotatably supporting the transfer pinions, a shaft engaging one of said side plate frame members, the rocker bracket being rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a spring memberabutting the Arocker bracket :insuring'normal er1--k gagemert of thetransfer pinionslwith the-digitlwheelslg sembly: eonneetedito the rocker bracket vandlto the arms, abutment fmeansl :carriedby lthe shift? 'lever 'andlengag being so constructed' thatoperation ofthe shift lever causes engagement of the, abutment means with the 'trigger and springxassernbly actuating.J-rotation,ofrthearmsy moving the fingers `intoiirrn engagementnwithi the trans'. ferrpinionspfrther operation ,ofwthef shift lever .causing rotation ofithc -rocker bracket While the fingers engage the itransfer ipinions, .said rotationf of the, lrocker bracket causingerdisengagement fof theA transfer Dpinions from VVthe digit wheels,V thcrngers ,engaginglthe vtransfer pinions rnaintainingthe` transfer pinions. in'iproper: radial posi-` tion duringthe lperiod ntf-disengagement offlthe transfer, pinions from the'digit Wheels.

9.-In-1a;.counter assembly/,of '1 the type provided with support structure, a pluralityof rotatablymounted 'digit supporting said transfer pinions,a''pin attached to the Y supportstructure and pivotally supporting the 'rocker bracket, a shift levertslidably supported by theV support structure; av'fplura'lity of arms pivotallyf-sup'ported upbri-L saidffrockerV bracket; there` beingone -arm forfeachi of lsaid it'ransfer pin'i'ons,J -al trigger member 'carried by= saidi' gagea'ble withtherockeri bracket for forcing pivotal movementilof 'said rocker bracket.'

10.. I- a'counte'r assembly provided`with a-solenoid,l a kcore -ank'lan'` armature,` the-combination comprising a support -structute;sat-pluralityL of'rotatably mounted digitwheels carried by the support'structure, a transfer pinion interposed between' adjacentdigit wheels, an arm opr eratively connecting-thearmature'to one k-of said digitl wheels,1-the` support'fst-ructure being provided with apirr` inember=adjacent the digitiwhee1s,-a shift' lever slidably guided by `thepinmer'nber, afro'ckerbracket:rotatably supported by thepimmember,` atransfer piniorrrotata'blyy carried by the rocker bracket',faniarmrotatably supported' by the lrocker--blackcet andengageablefwithl the transferv pinion,` abutment-means carried;by=the-shifti lever` -and engageable L with the rocker bracket forrotatiort thereof.

References iCitedyin the lfile of 'this patent UNITED 4STATESPATENTS 

